mire 
/ˈmajɚ/ noun
/ˈmajɚ/ noun : thick and deep mud [noncount] ▪ The troops marched onward through the muck and the mire. — often used figuratively ▪ stuck in the mire of cynicism ▪ The economy is sinking deeper into the mire. [=the economy is bad and getting worse] ▪ His name/reputation has been dragged through the mire. [=has been unfairly damaged or ruined] [singular] ▪ They found themselves in a mire of debt. [=they could not get out of debt]
